Joe DangerReview

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Nothing dangerous about downloading this one.

By Daemon Hatfield

Imagine if Excitebike and Trials HD got together and totally did it. Their baby would be Joe Danger. It's a stunt motorcycle game that combines the physics play of Trials with the cartoon presentation and level editor of Excitebike. I like Trials HD a lot, but those later levels were incredibly frustrating. Joe Danger is a much breezier, lighthearted affair. The later levels are definitely challenging, but I was always ready to get back on my bike and try again. It's great, great fun and a must-download for any PlayStation 3 owner.

Joe is a motorcycle stuntman who was knocked out of the game after a debilitating injury. He's ready to get back into it, but he's a little rusty, so you'll have to help him remember how to pull off all those amazing stunts. They're actually not that difficult to pull off, thanks to the simple, responsive controls. You know how some games just feel good to play? That's Joe Danger.

Each stage has several objectives that will grant you a star when completed, and you can spend those stars to unlock additional levels. I really like the amount of freedom Joe Danger provides us. A stage may have eight objectives and you can go after them in any order you like. Maybe you'll try to collect all of the letters spelling "Danger" or maybe you'll try to complete the stage under the time limit – it's up to you. If you ever get stuck on a challenge, you can go to another level and try something else for a while.

These aren't just race tracks. Levels are laid out like platforming environments with hidden areas and items to find. You're not just trying to reach the finish line as fast as you can – this is a game you can explore.

Joe Danger, motorcycle hero.

Two players can go head-to-head in local splitscreen races, and Joe Danger also includes a sandbox where you can make your own levels. The editor is interactive, so you can ride through it and drop objects right in front of Joe at any time. A tutorial for this mode is cleverly worked into the regular game, where Joe has to enter the editor to remove obstacles from his path and create ramps to proceed. Creating levels is almost as fun as playing them. Once you've got a great track you can upload it to share with your friends.

The Verdict

In a lot of ways, Joe Danger feels like it was made by Nintendo: it will constantly surprise and delight you, in the way the best first-party Nintendo games do. It's got bright, cartoon visuals, and the level design encourages return visits to look for all the hidden stars and coins. However, it wasn't made by a giant corporation with 30 years experience making games -- it was made by just four dudes, and this is their first project together. These four guys have made one of the most polished, full-featured, and downright fun games available on the PlayStation 3. It's obvious they learned a lot from Nintendo by playing Excitebike as kids. Joe Danger is a joy ride.